Tumble.
A heady image of her on my bed fills my head, the sheets tousled around her limbs as if she’s been moving around in it with someone—me—and a low, almost guttural growl rumbles deep in the back of my throat.
Archie pricks his ears.
Iris blinks and hugs the blanket with my sister’s face on it to her chest. “Plus,” she says, her voice husky, uncertain, “my fight or flight reflex is permanently stuck on fight these days.”
If that’s not a warning, I don’t know what is. “I’ll get those dry clothes for you,” I state with a nod. “And leave you in peace.”
And with that, I hurry out of the kitchen.
I pride myself on discipline and control—you can’t be a firefighter without either—but Iris Andrews ignites an elemental desire in me that I’m struggling to contain.
How the fuck am I going to survive the night knowing she’s under my roof?
Chapter Six
Iris
My fight or flight reflex is permanently stuck on fight these days?What the hell was that? Why did I say that?
Because it is?
Biting back a sigh, I give Archie a wobbly smile. “Turns out when your boss hits on you, Arch, you don’t just lose your job, you also end up punching the really hot firefighter trying to help you because you’re so jumpy you don’t know when youarebeing helped.”
Ears pricked, Archie tilts his head to the side.
With a soft chuckle, I scratch him behind his ear. “And now I’ve probably destroyed any chance of getting to know the really hot fire?—”
“I hope these will be okay?”
Hudson’s deep voice jerks my head up, and my breath catches. He’s walking back toward me, his attention on the folded items of clothing he’s carrying, and my whole body reacts to the sheer masculine force of him.
Stealing the chance to check him out, I devour the sight of his broad shoulders, his impressive pecs, and his sculpted lats. His damp T-shirt still clings to his body, and a part of me wants to stop him in his tracks, throw the clothes in his hands aside, strip him naked, and show him just how appreciative I am for his help.
It has nothing to do with him helping you. There’s something about him that pushes all your buttons. Admit it.
It’s not just the sexual ones though. I can’t help but imagine being looked after by Hudson every day of my life. What would it be like to care for him in return.
A soft whimper hitches in my throat as my pulse quickens.
He lifts his head, his gaze locking with mine, and my sex constricts.
He’s barely a few steps from where I’m standing clutching the patchwork blanket he gave me, and I can feel the heat radiating from his body. Smell the cleanness of him.
Biting my lip again, I shuffle back a step.
He frowns. “Everything okay?”
The concern in his voice squeezes my heart. Oh, I could fall in love with this mountain of a man, this firefighter with the looks of an A-list movie star, and the body of a Greek god.
I could fall in love with him right this very moment. And my stupid heart would never recover.
“Yeah.” I nod, reaching for the clothes. “Just cold.”
Hot more like it.
“Of course.” A choppy chuckle falls from him. “Sorry. Would you like another cup of tea? I’ll make it for you while you’re changing. Or a coffee? Hot chocolate? I’m good at hot chocolates.”
